Butter making apparatus



March 15, 1966 K. PLOCK ETAL BUTTER MAKING APPARATUS Filed March 1'7, 1964 Jnven/ars;

KH/QL PLOCIC Ira/8L QUEST Mar Arman/E7 United States Patent 3,239,934 BUTTER MAKllNG APPARATUS Karl Pluck, Dortmund-Lucklemherg, and Karl Quest, Dortmund, Germany, assignors to Holstein & Kappert, Dortmund, Germany Filed Mar. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 352,437 12 Claims. (QR. 31-35) The present invention relates to butter making apparatus in general and more particularly to a novel washing device which is especially useful in continuously operating butter making apparatus.

It is an important object of our invention to provide a washing device which automatically loosens, washes and rinses butter granules on their way from the separator (wherein the granules are separated from buttermilk) to a kneading machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing device of the just outlined characteristics which need not be provided with its own drive means and which may be operated in a fully automatic way in response to rotation of the separator wherein the liquid fraction (buttermilk) is separated from the solid fraction (butter granules) under the action of centrifugal force.

A further object of the invention is to provide a butter making apparatus which embodies a washing device of the above outlined characteristics and wherein all component parts of the washing device may be rapidly taken apart for the purposes of inspection, repair, replacement and/or cleaning.

An additional object of our invention is to provide a novel washing drum for use in continuously operating butter making apparatus.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a novel method of washing butter granules on their way from the centrifugal separator to the kneading machine.

With the above objects in view, one feature of our invention resides in the provision of a butter making apparatus which comprises a substantially horizontal rotary separator drum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction and through a discharge end thereof. This separator drum cooperates with a novel washing device which comprises a washing dnurn adjacent to the discharge end of and coaxial with the separator drum, drive means for rotating the two drums, preferably in such a way that one thereof rotates in a clockwise direction and that the other thereof rotates in a counterclockwise direction, a stationary bottom extending into the washing drum in such a way that the solid fraction passing through the discharge end of the separator drum automatically descends onto the bottom, agitating means provided in and arranged to rotate with the washing drum along the inner side of the bottom so as to lift and loosen batches of solid fraction and to permit such batches to drop back onto the inner side of the bottom, and means for admitting washing liquid into the washing drum to wash the solid fraction at the inner side of the bottom.

In accordance with our method, the solid and liquid fractions are advanced along an elongated path defined by the liquid-permeable mantle of the separator drum, the liquid fraction is separated from the solid fraction under the action of centrifugal force, the sol-id fraction is thereupon agitated in an intermediate portion of the the path (i.e., in the interior of the washing drum) by revolving agitating instrumentalities which lift and thereby loosen batches of solid fraction and permit such batches to drop back onto the remainder of the solid fraction, a washing liquid is discharged onto the solid frac- "ice tion in this intermediate portion of the path, and the thus washed solid fraction is gradually advanced from the intermediate zone of the path and to a kneading station.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved butter making apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an end view of a portion of the butter making apparatus; and

FIG. 2 is an axial section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IIII of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an improved washing device for a butter making apparatus which latter includes a centrifugal separator here shown as a rotary separator drum 1 having a perforated mantle which rotates about a horizontal or nearly horizontal axis and which receives buttermilk and butter granules from a non-illustrated source of such material. The liquid fraction (buttermilk) flows through the apertures of the perforated mantle while the solid fraction (butter granules) advances into the interior of a washing drum 2 which is adjacent to the open discharge end of the separator drum 1. The apertures in the mantle of the separator damn 1 receives screens 19 of wire mesh or the like which prevent escape of the solid fraction but which allow the liquid fraction to escape under the action of centrifugal force.

The washing drum 2 is driven by the separator drum 1 in such a way that the two drums rotate in different directions. As shown, the discharge end of the drum 1 carries an external ring gear 8 and the intake end of the drum 2 carries an internal ring gear 7 which is coplanar with but is spaced fom the ring gear 8. An intermediate gear 9 which is rotatably fixed to a stationary supporting frame 20 for the drums 1 and 2 meshes with the ring gears 7, 8 and automatically compels the drum 2 to rotate in a clockwise direction if the drum 1 rotates in a counterclockwise direction or vice versa. The frame 20 also supports two spaced shafts 21 each of which carries two rollers 6 serving to support the solid cylindrical mantle of the drum 2 which is readily detachable from the frame.

The inner end wall of the drum 2 (i.e., that end wall whose opening is adjacent to the discharge end of the drum 1) is of annular shape and carries a series of angularly spaced inclined holders 4 which extend in a direction away from the drum 1 and which support radially outwardly extending stirring or agitating fingers 3. In addition, at least some of these holders 4 are provided with suitably inclined radially outwardly extending conveying elements 15 which cause the solid fraction to advance gradually toward the right-hand end of the drum 2, as viewed in FIG. 2. The conveying elements 15 are staggered in the axial direction of the drum 2 and together form a substantially helical structure which automatically advances the solid fraction entering through the discharge end of the separator drum 1.

The frame 20 further supports an arcuate bottom wall 5 which is detachably secured thereto by brackets 16 and wing nuts 16a. .As shown in the drawings, each shaft 21 has an externally threaded extension 13 which passes through one of the brackets 16 and is detachably secured thereto by the respective wing nut 16a. The bottom wall 5 extends through the right-hand end of the drum 2 and is adjacent to the inner side of the solid mantel 2 of this drum. The tips of stirring fingers 3 advance along the concave inner side of the wall 5 and serve to agitate and to entrain batches of solid fraction which is discharged by the separator drum 1.

At the open right-hand end of drum 2 there is arranged a liquid-permeable circumferential wall 11 which constitutes an extension of the solid mantle 2 of drum 2 and consists of one or more layers of wire mesh, and which rotates with drum 2. Thoroughly washed solid fraction passes over the free edges 12 of wall 11 and then advances to a customary kneading machine, not shown.

A pipe 14 which extends through the open end of cylindrical wall 11 delivers jets of water or another washing fiuid onto the solid fraction which rests on the inner side of the bottom wall 5.

The apparatus of our invention operates as follows:

The separator drum 1 rotates at constant speed and separates the liquid fraction which passes through the apertures and screens 19 and is collected in a manner not forming part of this invention. The solid fraction is delivered toward an annular restriction or barrier 23 inthe drum 1 which serves to prevent entry of buttermilk into the drum 2. The solid fraction passes over the restriction 23 and descends from a ledge at the discharge end of the drum 1 to drop onto the stationary bottom wall 5.

The drum 2 rotates in the opposite direction and its fingers 3 lift batches of solid fraction while they orbit about the common axis of the drums, and the batches drop back onto the wall 5 where they are washed by liquid which is discharged through the pipe 14. At the same time, the conveying elements keep pushing the solid fraction toward the edge 12 so that the thoroughly washed solid fraction advances gradually to the kneading machine. The washing liquid escapes through the wall 11.

It was found that the stirring action of fingers 3 results in exceptionally thorough washing and rinsing of the solid fraction. This is due to the lifting and loosening action of these fingers which cause the batches to rise and to drop back onto the inner side of the bottom wall 5. This bottom wall need not extend along the entire lower half of the solid mantle of the drum 2; as shown in FIG. 1, one axially extending edge portion of the wall is located at a level above the other edge portion because the drum 2 is assumed to rotate in a counterclockwise direction so that batches of butter granules are entrained along and thereupon drop back onto the right'hand section of the bottom wall.

The wall 11, which in the drawing is shown integrally connected with drum 2, may also be made removable from drum 2, if desired, and it will be noted that the diameter of the drum 2 exceeds the diameter of the drum 1 so that the annular end wall of the drum 2 surrounds the discharge end of the separator drum 1.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a butter making apparatus, in combination, a substantially horizontal rotary separator d-rum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction thereof, said drum having a discharge end for the solid fraction; a washing drum adjacent to the discharge end of and coaxial with said separator drum; drive means arranged to rotate said washing drum in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of said separator drum; a stationary means extending into said washing drum beneath said discharge end to receive the solid fraction; stirring means provided in and arranged to rotate with said washing drum along said stationary means so as to lift batches of solid fraction and to permit such batches to drop back onto said stationary means; and means for admitting a washing liquid into said washing drum to wash the solid fractions on said stationary means.

2. In a butter making apparatus, in combination, a substantially horizontal rotary separator drum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction thereof, said drum having a discharge end for the solid fraction; a washing drum adjacent to the discharge end of and coaxial with said separator drum; drive means arranged to rotate said washing drum in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of said separator drum, said drive means comprising an internal ring gear on one of said drums, an external ring gear on the other drum, and an intermediate gear meshing with said ring gears so that said drum automatically rotate in difierent directions when one thereof is driven; a stationary means extending into said washing drum beneath said discharge end to receive the solid fraction; stirring means provided in and arranged to rotate with said washing drum along said stationary means so as to lift batches of solid fraction and to permit such batches to drop back onto said stationary means; and means for admitting a washing liquid into said washing drum to wash the solid fraction on said stationary means.

3. In a butter making apparatus, in combination, a substantially horizontal rotary separator drum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction thereof, said drum having a discharge end for the solid fraction; a washing drum adjacent to the discharge end of and coaxial with said separator drum, said washing drum having an open end distant from said separator drum; drive means arranged to rotate said washing drum in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of said separator drum; a stationary means extending into said washing drum beneath said discharge end to receive the solid fraction; stirring means provided in and arranged to rotate with said washing drum along said stationary means so as to lift batches of solid fraction and to permit such batches to drop back onto said stationary means; means for admitting a washing liquid into said washing drum to wash the solid fraction on said stationary means; and a liquid-permeable extension wall provided at the open end of said second drum and extending therebeyond to permit escape of washing liquid.

4. In a butter making apparatus, in combination, a substantially horizontal rotary separator drum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction thereof, said drum having a discharge end for the solid fraction; a washing drum adjacent to the discharge end of and coaxial with said separator drum; drive means arranged to rotate said washing drum in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of said separator drum; a stationary means extending into said washing drum beneath said discharge end to receive the solid fraction; a plurality of holders provided in and arranged to rotate with said washing drum; a plurality of stirring fingers provided on and extending outwardly from each of said holders to pass along said stationary means when the washing drum rotates so as to lift batches of solid fraction and to permit such batches to drop back on said stationary means, and means for admitting a washing liquid into said washing drum to wash the solid fraction on said stationary means.

5. A butter making apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further comprising conveying means provided on said holders and arranged to advance the solid fraction along said stationary means and in a direction away from said separator drum.

6. A butter making apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said conveying means comprises helically arranged conveying elements secured to and extending outwardly from said holders.

7. A butter making apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said conveying elements are staggered in the axial direction of said second drum.

8. In a butter making apparatus, in combination, a substantially horizontal rotary separator drum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction thereof, said drum having a liquid-permeable mantle provided with apertures for escape of liquid fraction and having a discharge end for the solid fraction; a washing drum adjacent to the discharge end of and coaxial with said separator drum; drive means arranged to rotate said washing drum in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of said separator drum; a stationary means extending into said washing drum beneath said discharge end to receive the solid fraction; stirring means provided in and arranged to rotate with said washing drum along said stationary means so as to lift batches of solid fraction and to permit such batches to drop back onto said stationary means; and means for admitting a washing liquid into said washing drum to wash the solid fraction on said stationary means.

9. in a butter making apparatus, in combination, a stationary frame; a horizontal separator drum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction thereof, said drum comprising a cylindrical mantle rotatably mounted in said frame and having apertures provided with liquid-permeable screens for escape of the liquid fraction, said mantle having a discharge and for the solid fraction and a ledge at said discharge end over which the axially advancing solid fraction descends; annular restricting means provided in and located at the discharge end of said mantle to hinder the flow of liquid fraction toward said ledge; a larger-diameter rotary washing drum having an annular end wall adjacent to and surrounding the discharge end of said mantle, a solid cylindrical mantle rigid with and extending from said end Wall in a direction away from said separator drum, said washing drum being coaxial with said separator drum and having an open end opposite said annular end wall thereof; drive means for rotating said drums in different directions, said drive means comprising an internal ring gear outwardly adjacent to said annular end wall and rigid with said washing drum, an external ring gear coplanar with and located coaxially within but spaced from said internal ring gear and secured to said separator drum, and an intermediate gear rotatably mounted in said frame and meshing with said ring gears so that one of said drums automatically rotates in a counterclockwise direction when the other drum rotates in a clockwise direction or vice versa; horizontal shafts mounted on said frame and adjacent to the outer side of said solid mantle; rollers mounted on said shafts and engaging the outer side of said solid mantle to rotatably support said washing drum; a stationary bottom wall of arcuate shape extending through the open end of said washing drum and adjacent to the inner side of said solid mantle so as to receive the solid fraction which descends over said ledge; means for detachably securing said bottom wall to said frame; a cylindrical wall of liquid-permeable material provided at and adjoining the open end of said washing drum; a pipe extending through said second end wall and arranged to discharge jets of washing liquid onto said bottom wall so as to rinse the solid fraction in said washing drum; a plurality of inclined holders secured to said annular end wall and extending in a direction away from said separator drum; a plurality of radially outwardly extending agitating fingers secured to each of said holders and arranged to sweep the inner side of said bottom wall during rotation of said washing drum so as to lift batches of solid fraction and to thereupon permit such batches to drop back onto said bottom wall whereby the batches are intimately contacted with the liquid which is discharged by said pipe; and a plurality of helically arranged and axially staggered conveying elements secured to and extending radially outwardly from said holders so as to advance the solid fraction gradually in a direction toward said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall and said bottom wall providing an outlet through which the solid fraction is expelled from said washing drum.

it). In a butter making apparatus, in combination, a substantially horizontal rotary separator drum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction thereof, said drum having a discharge end for the solid fraction; a washing drum adjacent to the discharge end of and coaxial with said separator drum; drive means for rotating said drums; a stationary means extending into said washing drums beneath said discharge end to receive the solid fraction; stirring means provided in and arranged to rotate with said Washing drum along said stationary means so as to lift batches of solid fraction and to permit such batches to drop back onto said stationary means; and means for admitting a washing liquid into said washing drum to wash the solid fraction on said stationary means.

11. In a butter making apparatus, in combination, a substantially horizontal rotary separator drum arranged to separate a liquid fraction consisting of buttermilk from a solid fraction consisting of butter granules and to advance the solid fraction in the axial direction thereof, said drum having a discharge end for the solid fraction; a washing drum adjacent to the discharge end of and coaxial with said separator drum; drive means arranged to rotate said washing drum in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of said separator drum; stationary rollers adjacent to the outer side of and arranged to support said washing drum; a stationary means extending into said washing drum beneath said discharge end to receive the solid fraction; stirring means provided in and arranged to rotate with said washing drum along said stationary means so as to lift batches of solid fraction and to permit such batches to drop onto said stationary means; and means for admitting a washing liquid into said washmg drum to wash the solid fraction on said stationary means.

12. In a butter making machine, in combination, a washing drum having an annular end wall defining an opening for admission of a solid fraction consisting of butter granules, a solid cylindrical mantle rigid with said annular end wall, and an open end located opposite said annular end wall; means for rotating said drum about a substantially horizontal axis; a stationary means extending through the open end of and into said drum and having a portion located at a level below said opening to receive the solid fraction; agitating means connected to said drum and arranged to rotate along the inner side of said stationary means to loosen up the solid fraction; means for admitting a washing liquid onto said stationary means; and a liquid-permeable wall adjacent to the open end of said drum and arranged to permit escape of washing liquid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,650,625 11/1927 Hapgood 3140 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

HUGH R. CHAMBLEE, Examiner. 

12. IN A BUTTER MAKING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, A WASHING DRUM HAVING AN ANNULAR END WALL DEFINING AND OPENING FOR ADMISSION OF A SOLID FRACTION CONSISTING OF BUTTER GRANULES, A SOLID CYLINDRICAL MANTLE RIGID WITH SAID ANNULAR END WALL AND AN OPEN END LOCATED OPPOSITE SAID ANNULAR END WALL; MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID DRUM ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS; A STATIONARY MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH THE OPEN END OF AND INTO SAID DRUM AND HAVING A PORTION LOCATED AT A LEVEL BELOW SAID OPENING TO RE- 